RNLI Burnham-on-Crouch volunteers search for overdue Kayaker
The busy period for RNLI Burnham-on-Crouch volunteers continued when at 6.20pm on 26 July 2023 they received another tasking from HM Coastguard.
It was a case of launching both the Atlantic class Tony and Robert Britt and D class lifeboats to search for an overdue kayaker that had left Creeksea earlier in the day heading up river towards Althorne.
The D class lifeboat was tasked to search from Creeksea up to Althorne creek whilst the Atlantic class was tasked to search further up river to Fambridge.
As the D class was passing through the Essex Marina mooring, the volunteer RNLI crew spotted a passing yacht when the occupants drew their attention. Upon approaching the yacht they found the kayaker safely on board.
Upon further investigation the yacht had broken down and the kayaker had gone to offer assistance.
At this point the Atlantic class lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.
The yacht was sailing back to Burnham Marina but as they had no engine the D class lifeboat took them under tow and brought them back to their berth in Burnham Marina.
The kayaker was taken on board the D class and safely returned to his family at the lifeboat station.
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
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